‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord’
Topping up your oil & trimming your wick July 2025
Comfort, comfort my people says your God. Isaiah 40:1 This verse occurs in a section of the Bible often referred to as the ‘Book of Comfort.’ It is situated in Isaiah chapter 40, which marks a transition from a message of judgment upon Israel for their sin, to a message of hope and restoration. In this shift God promises consolation and deliverance to His people. The nation of Israel at that time was facing significant hardships, particularly during the Babylonian exile. They had lost their homeland and suffered greatly. Yet, God, in His infinite mercy, offers a message of comfort, reminding them of His unwavering commitment to restore them and bring relief into their lives.
The message from Isaiah is just as relevant to the nation of Israel today with the suffering, persecution, intimidation and discrimination they are experiencing from the nations of the world.
Israel has experienced Antisemitism for the last 4000 years, though since October 7th 2023 when Hamas unleashed further evil and brutality against Israel and the Jewish people, we have seen a global escalation of Jewish hatred, anti-Israel propaganda and great conflict surrounding the people of Israel. News headlines earlier this year declared Israel is fighting war on 7 fronts. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, listed the battlegrounds as Iran, Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Shia militants in Iraq, militant groups in Syria and Palestinian fighters in the West Bank. All these conflicts have been instigated by the enemies of Israel as the Jewish nation fights for its existence. We need to remember Israel’s land mass would fit 3 times into Tasmania, could you imagine fighting a war on 7 fronts in such a small place.
We have the rise of Antisemitism through pro-Palestinian marches all around the world with many nations condemning Israel and in Nov 2024 a warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged [though absolutely false] war crimes. On the 28th June 2025 at Glastonbury, a music festival was live streamed around the UK where lead singer Bob Vylan incited the crowd of 30,000 chanting anti-Israel slogans: 'Free Palestine' and 'Death, death to the IDF', and ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ – a call for Israel's annihilation. These chants went viral around the world. Throughout 2024, according to the Antisemitism Research Centre there was an unprecedented rise in global antisemitism of 107.7%. Jewish communities worldwide have been subjected to an unrelenting onslaught of violence, harassment, and systemic discrimination, stimulated by a fusion of far-left, far- right, and Islamic hatred. We are seeing the most severe wave of Antisemitism since the Second World War….. Comfort, Comfort my people, says your God.
The Hebrew word for comfort is ‘nachamu’ which means to strengthen, encourage, instilling a sense of security, it is a word of tenderness. The repetition of “comfort” underlines its importance. When God repeats something, it signifies emphasis and urgency. The words comfort, comfort my people are also a call to action, for the Church to be agents of comfort to the Jewish people wherever they may be in the world. Some people dislike the idea that God has chosen a special race of people distinct from all the other nations.
You are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. (Deuteronomy 7:6).The ultimate purpose of God’s choice of the Jewish nation was for the the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world to be born from the line of David. Salvation is of the Jews. John 4:22It will be on the Mount of Olives just east of Jerusalem that Jesus will place the soles of His feet upon, at His Second Coming, in all power and glory. Zechariah 14:4
Our God exhorts us, expects us to pray for Jerusalem as we comfort, comfort His people. I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. Isaih 62:6-7 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May those who love you prosper. Psalm 122:6
The Lord has given the Church a responsibility to participate in His plans and purposes for this world and for Israel, the apple of His eye, [Deut 32:10 / Zech 2:8] a term of endearment, emphasising that Israel holds a special place in the heart of God. We can lift God’s promises for Israel back to Him in faith, promises of protection and provision. Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4 Pray for the protection, strength and resilience of the Israeli Defence Force as they deal with the onslaught of evil coming against the Jewish Nation on many fronts.
Pray for the regathering of Israel [Aliyah] which is increasing in these Last Days. Hear the Word of the Lord, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His flock like a shepherd. Jer 31:10
Pray the enemies of Israel will be confounded and for the Lord to intervene and disarm their efforts to harm the Jewish people. May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow; Psalm 129:5-6Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words for I see violence and strife in the city. Psalm 55:9
Pray for the Messianic [Christian] fellowships in the land who are sowing the truth of God’s Word as they reach out with the good news of Jesus Christ. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16 The greatest message of comfort and peace is to tell someone about the salvation Yeshua provided on the cross, where He paid the penalty for our sin. Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1
We can speak up for God’s people Psalm 94:16. Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? As the old saying goes; The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.
We can sow our financial resources into ministries that support and reach out to God’s people. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. Romans 15:27
Take time to praise God for His faithfulness to His Word for Israel and to His blood bought bride the Church. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thess 5:24 In our day-to-day lives, may we take the opportunity to truly Comfort, comfort God’s people in these very distressing times.
Greg and Judy’s Update: Thank you for your ongoing encouragement, prayers and financial support which enables Timeline Ministries to continue. Our home in Alectown has been on the market for the last two months and we know the Lord God will provide a buyer in His time along with a place He would have us to make as our new home base. Your continued prayers for this transition will be greatly appreciated. On the 9th of July, we will head off on a ministry trip to Rockhampton, Gladstone, Biggenden and the Bundaberg area returning home on the 29th of July. For further details of where we will be speaking, please feel free to contact us. Meanwhile we have had some more local speaking appointments at Orange and Dubbo.
The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18